Chapter 35: Chapter 34: The Two and the Princess

Somewhere in Paris, France

Inside one of the exclusive cafes in the city of Paris, there is a meeting going on between the French Princess, Charlotte Bonaparte, and the two other transmigrators in the world – John Campbell and Gregorio Francisco.

The two men were pissed at the French Princess for preventing them to leave for a few weeks to a secret location in France. But they can’t show that in their faces because the Princess is powerful, especially in France. Also, she is their benefactor in saving them from the attack of the Spanish agents against them.

“So… gents… I’m glad to see you again.”

“It is our honor to meet the Princess of the French and grace us with her presence.”

“Gents you can sit.”

Both John and Gregorio sit in their respective chairs in front of the Princess. Both are tired from the travel from the secret safehouse to their current location in Paris. The French agents just informed them an hour before departure and that forced them to double time in preparing their things and luggage.

“How’s the stay? Are you satisfied with the protection detail I have provided you?”

“…”

“…”

Both John and Gregorio are having second thoughts if they would reply to her question. They were thankful and glad for saving their lives from the Spanish assassination and giving them protection and security. The French Princess had even arranged security for their families in their home countries and for that, they were genuinely thankful.

But being cut off from the world inside an unfamiliar house with unfamiliar and armed men had made them uncomfortable and tensed for the past few weeks. They were afraid that if ever the Princess deemed them a threat or nothing to gain, they would be disposed of. There is nothing more troubling and scary than having your life in control by someone.

“Your Highness, to tell you the truth, we are very thankful for what you had done but we also feel uncomfortable with the way you handled our security. Being trapped in an unfamiliar place is very taxing even for us. We can’t even contact our own family in our means and only depends on what your men said to us.”

“Ohhh… I’m sorry if you feel that way but I rather had you in that situation than bring you in harm’s way. It is better to be more careful than not. I hope you understand my methods.”

“It’s fine already Your Highness. We are just glad that nothing more happened to us. We just want to ask why you still keep us here in France, did you need anything from us?”

“Yes, there is something that I want you to do. Especially you Gregorio with your plan for Philippine Independence.”

Both Gregorio and John feel that Princess Charlotte would ask something unreasonable. They can see the smile on the Princess’ face but her eyes are dead serious. The French guards that are surrounding the cafes become something threatening in their eyes. It is like the Princess could just kill them off if they would not agree or accept her demands.

“What is it, Your Highness? We would try our best to keep up with your demands.”

“Thank you… Gregorio, regarding your plan for an armed revolt in the Philippines. I will give you more support and weapons if you will start your revolt next year. I know you are also lobbying for support of the United States, but you know what would happen if the United States would intervene. They would just replace the Spanish, and if you don’t have any backing from another power after you successfully ousted the Spanish, then other powers like the Japanese would invade you.”

“Then what do you want from us, Princess? Why do we need to start our revolution next year even if we are not fully prepared for one?”

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“Bluntly, I want you to distract both the Spanish and the Germans during the incoming Ottoman invasion against the Austrians.”

Both Gregorio and John are stunned by the request of the Princess. No one in their right mind would agree with such a request. Facing the Spanish already is an uphill battle for the Filipinos, having the Germans in the equation would become a disaster for those who are fighting for freedom and independence. The German army is already considered the strongest fighting force in the world and if the Filipinos would face the Germans, that would be suicide and they would be annihilated.

“You know Princess that would be a horrible idea for us Filipinos. It is like you are asking for us to jump into the lava. We would all be annihilated.”

“You know that the Cubans had already started their uprisings and a large part of the Spanish military is in the Caribbean, for you, it would be an opportunity to also start an uprising in the Philippine islands. I would also add more support to your cause and by the time you declare an independent state, the French Empire would be the first to recognize the country.”

“But still, launching a hasty and ill-prepared revolution would just result in a lot of unnecessary sacrifices Your Highness. I don’t want to see more of my countrymen spilled their lives because of rashness and recklessness.”

“I’m sorry to interrupt you, Your Highness and Gregorio. But I want to ask you Your Highness why would you want to help Austria? If I think about it, whether Austria wins or loses against the Ottomans, France would not suffer that much and it would only make the world fear the German alliance more.”

John Campbell interrupted the exchange between Princess Charlotte and Gregorio because it seems the French Princess is hiding some motive behind the request. He hopes that the French Princess would share some reason with them so that they could understand her.

But deep inside, John Campbell is less hopeful that the French Princess would divulge her hidden reasons to them. That’s why he is shocked when the French Princess said.

“The Crown Prince of Austria is also like us a transmigrator.”

“He is also…”

“Wow… we didn’t see that coming.”

Both Gregorio and John Campbell are genuinely surprised by the terms of events that happened right now. That there is also another transmigrator like them and he is a future emperor of the Austrian Empire. That is higher than the position of the French Princess that is also a transmigrator. The Princess could never become an emperor being a woman and having two older brothers.

“That’s why I’m asking you this. If you would help him during the Ottoman Invasion in Austria, he would also help you and like France, would also recognize your future country if you would succeed in your revolt. Also, he is recruiting a large pool of men not only in Austria but also in Germany secretly so that would help you if ever Germany would attack you. If you think about it, this moment would be your highest chance of success in gaining independence.”

Gregorio is thinking about the prospects of an early revolution. He knows that a large portion of the Spanish forces is distracted in Cuba trying to quash a rebellion that might last longer than expected. With the support of the French and possibly the Austrians, it means that in a post-revolution Philippines, it is possible to smoothly be independent without a threat from an external force.

Also, the Philippines is a largely Catholic country and it is better to have weakened the Ottoman Empire which is supporting a lot of Muslim groups around the world. Because there would be a larger chance that a breakaway of the Southern region in the country with the support of the Ottoman Empire. He can’t afford the country to split immediately or a civil war after a successful revolution against Spain. Especially the Sultanate of Sulu which has close ties with both the Ottoman Empire and German Empire. Weakening at least one of the two would give them much leeway in controlling the southern part of the Philippines.

But what scared him the most is the high possibility of German involvement in the conflict. With a German colony on both the island of Borneo and Manchuria, it can immediately send an expeditionary force or two into the Philippines. He is also pessimistic about whether the revolution could draw the attention of the Germans. Even the revolution of Cuba didn’t draw the attention of the Germans, how more the Philippines which is much farther than Cuba.

“You can still think about it later. There is still time before you can give your response to us. But I hope that you would give us a favorable response when the time comes. Also you, John Campbell, I hope you would help me and the Austrian Crown Prince, especially in trade between our countries and North America. If you two would help us then you might gain a good deal from us regarding oil in the middle east which the Austrians are planning to annex if they win. That large oil reserve is still untapped and unknown to the world, gaining access and trade deals would help your business and country alike.”

Both Gregorio and Lin are speechless at the dazzling offer the French Princess is giving them. In the future, whoever controls and has access to those fields could dictate world affairs and they know they can’t directly control those. But having a sweet and good deal would give them a lot of benefits and can be useful in the future. The prospect of also having a good relationship with the future emperor of Austria who is also a transmigrator is always a good thing. No one can deny the sweet and enticing offer the Princess is offering them.

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